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Apple is reportedly preparing to launch three major new product categories in 2026 to mark its 50th anniversary, including its first folding iPhone, a budget MacBook priced under $1,000, and a smart home hub that combines HomePod functionality with a 7-inch touchscreen display.
Key Points
- Apple's folding iPhone expected to feature anti-crease technology and cost around $2,400, making it the most expensive foldable on the market
- Budget MacBook with iPhone A18 Pro chip will target Windows and Chromebook competitors at under $1,000
- Smart home hub device will merge HomePod speaker capabilities with iPad-like touchscreen functionality
- All three products align with Apple's 50th anniversary celebration and push into new market segments
- Additional products including security cameras and updated iPads, Apple Watches, and AirTags also expected
Folding iPhone Takes Different Approach
Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market will differentiate itself from competitors through advanced anti-crease technology that minimizes visible bend marks on the screen. According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and reports from Chinese publication UDN, the device will feature a wide, book-like design similar to Microsoft's discontinued Surface Duo 2.
The folding iPhone is expected to include screens on both the outside and inside, with the external display measuring approximately 5.5 inches and the internal screen expanding to around 7.8 inches when opened. This contrasts with current offerings from Google and Samsung, which typically measure 8 inches when open but feature narrower front displays.
Design constraints may force Apple to abandon Face ID in favor of a side-mounted Touch ID button, as the thin folding mechanism makes it difficult to accommodate the depth required for facial recognition sensors. The premium positioning reflects in the expected $2,400 price point, which would establish it as the market's most expensive foldable device.
Budget MacBook Targets Mass Market
Apple plans to expand its laptop accessibility with a sub-$1,000 MacBook powered by the iPhone A18 Pro chip, directly competing with Windows machines and Chromebooks in the education and budget-conscious consumer segments. Bloomberg and other sources indicate this represents Apple's most aggressive pricing strategy in the laptop category.
Following Apple's pattern with budget iPhones, the affordable MacBook is expected to launch in multiple bright colors similar to the current iMac lineup, potentially including blue, pink, and yellow options. Industry observers speculate whether Apple will brand the device as the MacBook SE or revive the classic "iBook" name from its colorful laptop heritage.
Smart Home Push with Hub Device
Apple's smart home ambitions center around a new hub device that combines HomePod speaker functionality with a 7-inch iPad-style touchscreen. The device is designed to control smart home accessories while running apps from a countertop position or wall mount, according to Bloomberg reporting.
The smart home ecosystem expansion includes plans for Apple's first security camera, positioning the company to compete more directly with Google Nest and Amazon's Alexa-powered devices. This integration aims to leverage Apple's privacy-focused approach while making the enhanced Siri with Apple Intelligence more practical for daily use.
The timing coincides with Apple's expected rollout of the improved Siri capabilities, though the AI assistant's full feature set may still be developing throughout 2026. These smart home products represent Apple's most significant expansion into the connected home market since the original HomePod launch, potentially establishing a new revenue stream as the company approaches its half-century milestone.
